An estimated 400 or more adults and children are homeless in Polk County each night.

An estimated 400 or more adults and children are homeless in Polk County each night.

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Updated: 6:20 PM CDT Sep 7, 2016

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WEBVTT INCLUDING FATHERS, AND IT CAN'T KEEP UP WITH THE DEMAN >> I NEVER THOUGHT I'D BE HOMELESS. CYNTHIA: IT'S SOMETHING YOU NEVER THINK WILL HAPPEN TO YOU >> THE AVERAGE PERSON CAN BE U HERE, THEN ALL THE WAY DOWN BELOW. CYNTHIA: T SCOTS MOVED TO THE MORNING WITH 4-YEAR-OLD MALACHI AND SIX-YEAR-OLD JOSHUA TO TAKE CARE OF YVETTA'S DYING FATHER AFTER RICARDO WAS LAID OFF AS A COOK IN OMAH >> YOU KNOW, YOU CAN BE ONE OF THOSE STATISTICS THAT IS OUT THERE THAT DOESN'T HAVE A JOB ANYMORE LOST YOUR HOME, LOST , YOUR CAR, EVERYTHING. CYNTHIA: BUT THEY FEEL LUCKY TO HAVE FOUND A HOME WHERE A FATHER CAN STAY WITH HIS WIFE AND CHILDREN. >> YOU GOT A LOT OF FAMILIES RIGHT NOW STILL ON STREETS, HA NOWHERE TO GO, NOTHING TO EA OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT. CYNTHIA: ST. JOSEPH, RUN BY CATHOLIC CHARITIES, ONLY HAS 10 ROOMS, AND HAD TO TURN AWAY 63 FAMILIES LAST MONTH ALONE. THIS BEDROOM AND A SMALLER ONE ARE READY FOR TWO PARENTS WITH 6 KIDS ARRIVING TONIGHT. >> HOMELESS KIDS OFTEN DO POOR IN SCHOOL. THEY TEND TO HAVE HIGHER MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES AND HEALTH ISSUES. CYNTHI KEEPING THE FAMILY UNIT TOGETHER MEANS EVERYTHING WHEN YOUR FAMILY IS ALL YOU HAVE. >> YOU SPLITTING UP A FAMILY YOU BREAKING UP A HOME ALREADY FORMED.

Metro shelter keeps homeless families together

An estimated 400 or more adults and children are homeless in Polk County each night.